Method of filling and sealing a container punctured at two spaced points for introduction of inert gas and discharge of internal air



y 1950 s. BERGSTEIN 2,506,769

METHOD OF FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER PUNCTURED AT Two SPACED POINTS FOR INTRODUCTION OF INERT GAS AND DISCHARGE OF IN ERNAL AIR Filed Sept. 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l 9 6 6 0 5 2E R T m M N UI P. F w N W A T. L AI M o m m m E 1 G a w B m C S I D D N A s A G May 9, 1950 METHOD OF FILLING AND SEALIN AT TWO SPACED POINTS FOR INTRODUC 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1944 INVENTOR. J'flMl/EL B5765 rzuv, WZWZMY/ ATTORNEYS.

234 12 161} datee-Ma -zs, 19481 1 have taught a Patented May 9, 1950 *METHOD0FF1LITING ANDSEALINGAiCQN SamuelBergsteih; (timeinnaitis ()hi Appiicationiisptember 9, 1944;SeriaYNoi553j374- (CIZIEZZG-I-IB) 1 :Myinvontion: lies :in: the-.ifieldmf :hermetical ly -sea;led,.-gastight (containers; holding; elong-rwith the f'cOntents,1= a; protective-gas :other thansatmos- .='pherio-:ai-r.1

It is an 'obj ectio-f-this inventionxtogprovide such 'gas filled'z paclsaugest byear simple andinexpensive-7pr0cedure =-'Which :is adapted toihand', semi-- autcmaticeor' fully; automatic operationr The :principal specific: obj ect: of; this -.-invention .is the "provision of: anieimprovedi gaset-"exohange wiprocesseadaptedflto .such -c0ntainers,- and" perticularly. torflexibl-ewmllede containers;

These androthenobjects ofrithezinventicnzwhich will 'bevset forth :hereinaiterorrwillzhezepparent stow ones: skill-ed? in": the? art 5; upon treading these specifications, .I accomplishabycthatzcertain procedure; and mechanismzofzwliieh:I sheila new describe--an exemplary; embodiment. Referenceiis made .toJthedrawings-wherein: r

"Figure-l: 1! v.isi a i: plan "view of en: carton .biank *for airpackage- :m-aieiecin: accordance with my; in-

vention;

Figure '2- showsi apacltage 'in crossssectfon tegether with: a;"diagrammatitfillustration of mech anism for gassing itt Figure 33 I is a:diagrammatic"elevational I view of: an operation in which containersare moved along on a conveyor.

' Figure 4 is a, diagrammatic' eleveitional View ofan. operation in whiohcontainers areengaged in cages.

Ine co-pending application; entitleda' Method of' rnaking' gas filld flexiblecontainers serial No. '4' filed October 10, 19461; new "Paitent No.

process of producing flexible welied,-- gas filled packages,- which comprises enclosing} the I desired contents in a--suitable-c0ntainer"-ofithatclass, forming a. gas-tight skin" continuously over I the whole outer surface "of the container-, puncturiiig boththe'skin' and the package walljfie'cting an exchange of. the air in the package for ejdesired protective gas, and fafterwarcirepeiringlthelipulinr tuiftiiill the gas-tight skin. .Thei-presentginvenr primarily to: the meansiend (method; for. ,efieni' ri1 2; gas exchange.

As in the saidco-pending epplication, therna turev of a, flexible walled-package?itselfymay be considerably vvaried; It; 7 may be; peperehoard carton, or asbai-g orcombination: ofl t'hfilitm' or any of various plunaiwailed packages; 12 may be a, ;paper-board1 carton: havingrram -.exterior wrapping; or cellophainegoraothemnonieltcdifilm};

r to "assist=in-rexidering-fthe package gastight -and -in=* theformati0n ofthe gas-tight skin.

The -gas'-tight --skin-=is 'p'rimarily formed hydiipping the package in thermo-plastic material havin good- 'film forming} characteristics and good l zosgassing of such; and other-- gas-tight packages Without theuse of gassing chambers, vacuum; or anyprocedure w-hich' subjects the-flexible Walls of *m ap ckages to distorting pressures. False-eccomplish g-as exchange with w minimumof aippa- 7 other Briefly in theexe'mplairy :pi actice 'o'f-"my invention, l rpuncturesthehskin and wall of: a J flexible, gas-'fiil'e'd -package in I such manner asto provide both laminlet forrthedesired protective -g-asandan outlet ior the-initialatmosphere. Two punctures may b 'ma-dc,=one 'beingfOIi-GQCh purpose. In 'nstances the means" for introducing the z gasds of suchcharacterthat'xan escape route is provided-S for the -internal" atmosphere, suitably tion .is. applicableeto such. a; process and relates I545 "isolated? from theAi-nlet; route-"for the protective gas, but requiring only one perforation.

It introduce -the protective gas at apoint in the containerras far-aspess'ible-from thepoint of-es- :cepefor the etmosphereg: and]: have found-that -when:this'.=is:=clone the sasemay be: introduced rapidly so .aseto:efieet ascomplete gas exchange-without subjecting the flexible walls oi the contajiner etoaanyrsuhstantial internelgpressure. The 'm'eans 'used'lrtoi .introduce- =tthe 5v gas orelong, narrow,

i-usedtqforz puncturing both the skin and the-conitainemwalls; @ne: such hollow' nee'tlleisconnectediwith a supply of the desired protective gas, controiledbysuitable valve-means.

v Asn hownein Figure l; iri -forming one of=-mvpackages, :Iz mayprovide a car-ton blank-such as that-idescriibedaim my co-lpendingepplication entitledzgCaintonsfen sealingmy immersiongserial No.

631,:-datetr December wE146;: and c0mprising-=ensition of adhesive therebetween. The carton may' then be filled with the desired contents and closed upon the other end in like manner.

This carton is one especially useful for sealing I at III of the intermediate flaps I and I, form grooves which become filled with plugs of the sealing substance bridging the gap between the inner and outer fiaps.

After a coating or skin has been formed on the package, the next step in the form illustrated in Figure 2, is to make two spaced apertures or openings in the hermetically sealed package. These may be made by means of hollow needles I I and I2, the first of which is connected by a suitable flexible tubing I3 or other means, to a source of supply of the desired inert gas, which for example, may be a metal tank I4 of carbon dioxide or nitrogen, and is provided with the usual valve controls for regulating the fiow of gas through the tubing and for controlling the pressure. The needle I2 forms another aperture which is open to the outside air through the hollow of the needle I2. The inert gas under pressure is introduced into the interior of the package through the hollow needle I i and the flow of gas is allowed to continue until it has forced out through the other needle all of the air within the package.

It will be noted in Figure 2 that the openings have been spaced widely apart but are on the same panel or surface of the container.

However, I have found that arranging to have the inlet of the inert gas at as great a distance as possible from the outlet (in terms of the path of gas flow) provides a more thorough and more rapid removal of the internal air.

In Figure 2 the hollow needle II projects sufficiently into the package so that its opening is located almost at the base of the package, whereas the needle I2 making its opening at the opposite end of panel 6 enters the package only slightly. The path of gas flow therefore is from a low point at one end of the package to a high point at the opposite end, and extends almost the maximwn distance possible within the confines of the package.

My procedure may be modified, depending upon the nature of the contents of the package. When the package contains loose or granular contents, for example cereals, I have found that the needles may be used without difficulty and without injury to the contents. There are interstices between the granules or such substances, and an arrangement providing the maximum possible distance between the inlet and outlet points makes for the most rapid circulation of the inert gas and consequently for the most rapid evacuation of the internal air. With packages the size of the average cereal container, the removal of the internal air under the pressure of the entering inert gas takes place readily in a matter of seconds. There is a direct relationship between the cubic volume of the package, the nature of the contents and the volume and pressure of the inert gas introduced. It is not diflicult, however, to determine experimentally the time cycle required to achieve the desired concentration of the inert gas within the package; and then the cycle can be repeated with exactly duplicating results.

For other types of contents it may be necessary to introduce the needles at particular points to avoid injury to the contents; and again, with types of contents permeated with air, but not providing ready paths for gas circulation, a longer treatment may be required, or even several treatments to allow diffusion to play its part in the removal of the internal atmosphere. by immersion because the relieved portions shown .For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown in a simple form in Figure 2; but the process is capable of ready mechanization on packaging lines. I have shown the needles II and I2 mounted on a common bar or support I 5, which maybe made movable in the directions of the arrow. When a package (moving or stationary) is brought into proper relation with the support, it may be lowered mechanically, forming the two openings in predetermined positions. The packages may be moved on a conveyor 24 in Fig. 3 or engaged within cages 25 in Fig. 4 as is customary in the packaging art for closing and sealing. Large groups of packages may be treated simultaneously, i. e., a number of package units may be brought under a framework 22 in Fig. 3 containing a suitable number of the needles, as will be readily understood. The needles II in Figure 3 are shown mounted in a gang, supplied with gas through the conduit 3|, valve 32 controlled by linkage 33, and the branch fitting 30.

After the package has been filled with inert gas, the two openings are rescaled hermetically as has been described above. The methods of rescaling may be those described in my co-pending application to which reference has been made above, or there may be other methods appropriate to the nature of the container. Where two apertures are employed the location of them on one panel or one surface simplifies the rescaling operation, as will be clear. In Figure 3 the nozzles 23 are supplied from the conduits 34 through the valves 35, controlled by the linkages 36. Similar elements are given corresponding reference numerals in Figure 4.

In the adaptation of the invention to packaging procedures wherein the containers are brought successively into position for operation, the reclosure of the apertures can readily be carried out as part of the same series of operations. Whether the packages are treated in single units or in groups of units, spaced nozzles 23 in Figures 3 and 4 may be provided to eject the sealing medium to cover the aperture or apertures.

The perforation or perforations in the container may, if desired, be preformed by other means than the needles themselves.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that my invention can be carried out with a minimum of apparatus and with the highest efficiency at extremely low cost. In the metal can industry for example, it has been common practice to achieve the desired internal concentration of inert gas by first vacuumizing the can and thereafter permitting the inert gas to flow into it. In many cases it is necessary to repeat these operations in order to attain the desired high concentration of inert gas. It is impossible to accomplish gassing under these circumstances without the use of a completely closed chamber unless the can is made of exceptionally heavy material to withstand the pressures and to prevent collapse. Flexible packages, because of the tendency to collapse when vacuumized, cannot be successfully treated in this manner at all without the use of a, vacuum chamber. Vacuum chambers represent considerable expense and complication in packaging the lines. Furthermore, the highest vacuum that can normally be drawn in commercial practice is around 2 inches. This leaves a substantial percentage of air remaining in the package. By my inven tion, not only is the vacuum chamber apparatus eliminated, but I have found by test that I achieve a higher concentration of inert gas within the package.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of packaging which includes providing a flexible-walled scalable container, enclosing contents therein, rendering the container gas-tight, thereafter forming two apertures therein, and introducing inert gas under pressure through one of the apertures until the internal air has been substantially removed through the other of said apertures, and thereafter hermetically sealing both apertures.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the inert gas is introduced through a hollow needle-like means inserted through one of said apertures in such a manner as to provide a longer path between the gas introduction and. air removal points.

3. A method of packaging which includes enclosing contents in a flexible walled container, rendering said container gas-tight, puncturing said container by means of spaced hollow needles, injecting an inert gas through one of said needles while permitting the escape of internal air through the other, withdrawing said needles and thereafter rescaling the opening formed thereby.

4. The method claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said needles is introduced into the container a greater distance than the other whereby to increase the path of gas travel.

5. A process of packaging which includes enclosing contents in a flexible walled container, forming about said container a continuous gastight skin, puncturing said skin and said container to form an opening for the entrance of inert gas, and an opening forthe exit of internal atmosphere, introducing gas into said container through said first mentioned opening while permitting escape of internal air through the other opening and, after effecting gas exchange, resealing said container by repairing said skin over any perforation therein.

6. A method of packaging which comprises providing a, flexible-walled scalable container, enclosing contents therein, sealing the container in a gas-tight condition, forming a pair of apertures therein by puncturing a wall with hollow needle-like means, and introducing inert gas under pressure through one of said apertures so as to drive out the internal air through the other, while causing the point of introduction of the gas to be spaced within the container from the point of removal of the air, and thereafter hermetically sealing both apertures in said container SAMUEL BERGSTEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 248,146 Crocker Oct. 11, 1881 1,406,380 Heath et a1 Feb. 14, 1922 1,970,193 Riebel, Jr. Aug. 14, 1934 2,086,467 Bryan July 6, 1937 2,281,187 Waters Apr. 28, 1942 2,292,295 Royal Aug. 4, 1942 

